Team Ackerman headed to Calgary to represent Saskatchewan

TISDALE – With a large crowd watching in the Tisdale RecPlex arena, Team Ackerman took an extra end, and the skip’s last rock decided the game; the final score 10 to 9 over Team Martin.

Skipped by Skylar Ackerman, third Ashley Thevenot, second Taylor Stremick, lead Kaylin Skinner and coach Patrick Ackerman will be heading to Calgary, Alta., for the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

This was only team Ackerman’s second appearance and play out of the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon.

Their team’s third, Ashley Thevenot, has a northeast connection as she grew up in St Front, population less than 25 people, and approximately 25 minutes south of Tisdale. Thevenot said, “It is surreal, it’s hard to believe and it feels like a dream come true for all our team. We are excited to head to the Scotties and represent Team Saskatchewan. We want to be present, in the moment, and do our best.”

Thevenot said she has curled competitively since she was five years old and started her curling career at the St Front curling rink. She curled in the men’s Tisdale super league when she was younger and having the Scotties held in Tisdale was a familiar atmosphere for her. Thevenot won a provincial junior title as skip in 2020. Interestingly, she beat Skylar Ackerman that year to win the provincial title. The two paired up this last year and are now going to Calgary as the youngest team, currently.

Skylar Ackerman is the youngest on the team at 22 years old, Thevenot is 25 years old, Taylor Stremick is 23 years old and their lead, Kaylin Skinner, is 26 years old.

Lori Kidney, chairperson for the 2024 Viterra Provincial Scotties, said the highlight for her was the games themselves.

“We had incredible competition all week. Many were very close and so good to watch.”

The game itself went back and forth with many momentum shifts. It took 11 ends and one burned rock by Team Martin in the extra end. Team Martin had six stolen points in the game. The game had six lead changes.

It started with two steals of one from Team Martin. Team Ackerman then came back with three in the third end. Team Ackerman managed to score three in three different ends. Team Ackerman needed to throw their last rock in the 10th end with less than 30 seconds remaining on their time clock. Team Martin was counting three, Skip Ackerman threw her last rock, needing a hit and roll. The shot was made, and the young team was crowned the 2024 Scotties Team Saskatchewan.

Kidney said, “We don’t have admissions finalized yet, but they exceeded expectations. Friday was packed and the final was very strong. We had games with over 600 people.”

The total numbers were yet to be determined.

“The volunteers were exceptional. The fans were very invested in the games, cheering loudly. My thoughts are that it can’t happen without sponsors who just step up when we need them and make it all financially possible.” Kidney said.

Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SASKTODAY.ca